Regional Semi-Finals to Watch in Division 1
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Oh man, do we have an exciting night in Division 1 volleyball in Michigan. The MHSAA State Volleyball Tournament stops for no one and tonight we see some of the top teams in the state go head-to-head. It’s survive and…
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Continue ReadingOh man, do we have an exciting night in Division 1 volleyball in Michigan.
The MHSAA State Volleyball Tournament stops for no one and tonight we see some of the top teams in the state go head-to-head. It’s survive and advance and the winners of these matches will have to show a lot of grit to pull out of these ones.
With nine of these ten teams all being ranked within the top 15 of the state in Division 1, you would think we would change things to a seeding system for the post season? I digress.
Nonetheless, here are the top showdowns you need to keep your eye on in tonight’s Regional Semi-Finals in Division 1 Volleyball.
CLARKSTON V LAKELAND
This could very much be a match up we could see in the later rounds of the tournament if the likes of seedings were involved, but nonetheless, this match will be a brawl. With big time attackers and defenders on each side, I could see this one going a similar distance as the Clarkston vs. Lake Orion district final.
Clarkston has a big presence on the left side with both Paige Giehtbrock Paige Giehtbrock 6'0" | OH Clarkston | 2023 State MI and Cayla Cogan Cayla Cogan 5'10" | OH Clarkston | 2024 State #96 Nation MI . The two combine for near seven kills per set. Behind them is five star libero Kiley Gallagher Kiley Gallagher 5'5" | DS/L Clarkston | 2024 State MI who could really be the difference maker with her steadfast ways in the back court. On Lakeland’s side they’re led by OH/S Eve Martin Eve Martin 5'11" | S Lakeland | 2023 State MI and MB Rachel Zurek Rachel Zurek 6'0" | MB Lakeland | 2023 State MI . A huge chunk of this Lakeland offense comes off the shoulders of these two and they can back it up with some stellar defense at the net and behind the ten foot line.
I feel like Clarkston has the edge in this match though, battle tested thus far in the tournament. Can they outlast Lakeland?
FH CENTRAL V HUDSONVILLE
The only bad thing about having so many great teams out on the west side is that we lose out on some epic volleyball later on in the tournament. This is another match that could rival most semifinal and final matches in Kellogg. Like the Clarkston/Lakeland match, I could see this one going the distance.
Forest Hills Central has been tearing it up all season behind the arms of their left sides’ Sarah Dunn Sarah Dunn 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Central | 2023 State MI and Avery Weslow Avery Weslow 5'11" | OH Forest Hills Central | 2024 State MI . Dunn, a dominate force for quite awhile now is seeing her counterpart, Weslow, really raising the bar as of late. Opposite of this duo, Hudsonville is lead by Isabelle Swiercz Isabelle Swiercz 6'2" | OH Hudsonville | 2024 State #110 Nation MI , offensively, and Gianna Bender Gianna Bender 5'6" | DS/L Hudsonville | 2024 State MI , defensively. Both of the two carry a huge load in their respective roles, Swiercz is averaging over 4.5 kills and 3.5 digs per set while Bender is nearing 5.5 digs per set on the season.
This match will be a bloodbath and I can see it going either way. I would love to see both teams advance, but I give the edge to Forest Hills Central purely due to their ability to spread the ball around between their left side attackers.
OKEMOS V SKYLINE
This is going to be an interesting match up for sure. Skyline is gunning for their third Kellogg appearance in the last four seasons and Okemos is finding themselves in a real hot zone as of late, looking to play spoiler. I can’t see this one going five like the previous two, but this serve and pass battle will make for some great volleyball.
Ann Arbor Skyline is led by none other than Harper Murray Harper Murray 6'2" | OH Skyline | 2023 State #2 Nation MI , who has been taking on an even bigger load ever since the injury to Ayla Dunbar at Beast of the East. She’s backed up by OH/OPP Kate Maley Kate Maley 6'1" | RS Skyline | 2024 State #153 Nation MI , who has been looking pretty solid attacking around the court. On the flip side, Okemos will easily ride or die on their serve and pass. Mainly because their big weapon is in the middle with Kayla Ozanich Kayla Ozanich 6'1" | MB Okemos | 2023 State MI . I can see that Ozanich has an ability to take over matches with her size and physicality, but if you can’t get the ball to her, things may get dicey. Taylor Stephens Taylor Stephens 5'11" | OH Okemos | 2023 State MI rounds out the Wolves’ 1-2 punch.
Like I said, this match could go either way in my opinion with a lot riding on the serve and pass battle, just like any match. I will say though, I give the edge to Murray and company due to their out of system outlets being so strong.
SALINE V WOODHAVEN-BROWNSTOWN
In the same regional, this match up was one that may shock many. It was looking to be an almost All-SEC affair with Saline, Skyline and Bedford. But in a five set thriller for a district final, Woodhaven-Brownstown took down the beasts of Bedford and will look to defend their home court in the regional semis.
Not much can be found on Woodhaven, but what you can see is that they can go toe-to-toe with some of the top dogs in the state and with a home court advantage, they might bring it home. On the other side, Saline is coming off of two dominating performances in the district rounds. The story of their game have been the dominance of their left side attackers and their passing game, but Saturday’s final saw MB Addison Ashley Addison Ashley 6'1" | MB Saline | 2025 State MI go almost a perfect game going 10 for 12 on the night.
I believe Saline will take this match pretty convincingly, but I can’t count out the home team. With a large home crowd ready to get rowdy for a Cinderella story, this could be an intense match up.
NORTHVILLE V MERCY
Top dogs Northville taking on the No. 8 ranked Marlins, this is another match that should have been pushed back to at least a quarter-final round. But here we are in the regional semis, and this match looks to not disappoint.
The Mustangs are coming in hot and charging into the postseason with high hopes for an appearance in Kellogg Arena. Led by Miss Volleyball nominee, Abigail Reck Abigail Reck 6'2" | MB Northville | 2023 State #74 Nation MI and Sophomore setter, Ella Craggs Ella Craggs 5'9" | S Northville | 2025 State #127 Nation MI , this duo has been an undeniable force for a large portion of the season. Craggs is a top tier setter that has the luxury of one of the best defensive lines in the state led by Taryn Rice Taryn Rice 5'7" | DS/L Northville | 2023 State MI . Mercy will look to play spoiler, however, with their interesting style of play. Who’s to say who will be in the Marlin libero jersey tonight, but one thing is for certain, Campbell Flynn Campbell Flynn 6'2" | S Mercy | 2025 State #4 Nation MI will be the arm to rely on. Whether she is setting full time or half time and swinging the other half, Flynn will need to go crazy for Marlins to advance.
While this will make for some interesting volleyball for sure. I can’t see Northville going down, or at least without a fight. An offensive depth unlike anybody else and an unstoppable defense, this game is the Mustang’s to lose.
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